10 tips on how to do manicures and pedicures at home
When you don’t have the time, or you don’t want to spend the money, home pedicures and manicures can be just as good as those you get in a salon and, if you invite a few friends around, you can make a pampering party too.
How can we do manicure and pedicure at home? What are the basics of manicure and pedicure? If you want to get the perfect, stay at home manicure and pedicure, just read these ten great tips.
1. Make sure to remove any old nail polish first
Before you start, make sure that you have removed all the last traces of any old nail polish. Use an acetone-based nail polish remover for speed, but use it sparingly, because it will dry out your nails and your cuticles.
2. Trim your nails
Soak your nails first, just for a few seconds, and that will help stop your nails from splitting. Then trim, if necessary, and shape your nails to the desired shape. Use a gently abrasive emery board rather than a metal nail file, which will help avoid nail splintering.
3. Soak
The next tip on how to do manicures and pedicures at home is to give your feet and your hands a nice, relaxing, long soak in some warm water. Soaking will make your cuticles soft and easier to trim but don’t add detergent to the water; just a bit of facial cleanser or it will dry out the cuticles.
4. Use cuticle oil or cream
After having a good soak, use a cuticle cream or natural oil (for example, extra virgin olive oil, sweet almond oil, sesame seed oil, or avocado oil) to soften them further. This will make them soft enough to work on without causing any jagged edges or bleeding.
5. Work on the cuticles
Be careful when you are tidying up your cuticles and be gentle. Carefully push the cuticle away from your nail and then trim with cuticle nippers. Don’t be too harsh with the cuticles, and don’t try and do too much. They can be easily damaged and can become infected.
6. Moisturise
Another tip on how to do manicures and pedicures at home is to massage a rich moisturizing cream into the skin and the cuticles and leave it on to give it time to soak and hydrate the skin properly. Shea butter will also do a great job if you prefer natural beauty products.
7. Prepare your nails
To prepare your nails for polish, you will need to make sure that there is no grease or dirt on the nail's surface, or otherwise, your manicure won’t last that long. Gently wipe the nails with some cotton wool dipped in posh nail remover, but be careful to avoid the cuticles you have just moisturized.
8. Don’t shake the nail polish!
Your mum might have taught you to shake nail polish, but that will put air bubbles in it. Instead, rub the bottle vigorously between the palms of your hands, and that will do the job without getting those pesky bubbles in the nail polish.
9. Apply from the center out
Another useful tip on how to do manicures and pedicures at home is to apply nail polish to the center of your nail first and then apply to the sides. Remove any overlaps or spills with some cotton wool. Allow the first coat to dry, and then apply a second one. Finish with a coat of clear nail polish for further durability.
10. Drying nail polish
We’ve all read the tips on how to dry nail polish quickly, but the best way is with fresh air and patience! If you try to speed things up with a blow dryer, you can overheat the polish and ruin the finish.
But if you are impatient and you want your freshly painted nails to dry faster, here is a great tip for you: submerge your nails in the ice-cold water straight after painting them, and this should help speed up the drying process.
How do manicures and pedicures at home? What are your best tips?
Stay beautiful!